Places to See
: Western Group of Temples
Adinathemple
Chaunshath
Yogini Temple
'Chaunsath' meaning 64 numbers of Yoginis (female nymphs) who attend on the
fierce goddess Kali to whom this temple is dedicated to is the oldest temple
at Khajuraho. This is the only shrine at Khajuraho that is built entirely of
granite and the orientation of the axis of the temple is north-west southwest
instead of the usual east-west.
Verha Temple
It is dedicated to the boar incarnation of lord Vishnu and is situated in front
of the Matangesvara temple. An ablong structure of about 6 m by 4.8 m (20 ft.
by 16 ft.) it contains a really huge statue of the boar measuring nearly 2.7
m long and 1.8 m high.
Laxman Temple
One of the most magnificent temples of Khajuraho, the Lakshmana Temple is dedicated
to Lord Vishnu. It is also called as Ramchandra or Chaturbhuja temple. Measuring
29.9m (98 ft.) by 13.8 m (45 ft. 3 in.). It has four subordinate shrines at
eh four corners of the platform terrace.
Chitra Gupta Temple
This temple is dedicated to Surya - the sun God. The image of sun 1.5 m (5 ft.)
high wearing high boots and driving a chariot of seven horses, is enshrined
in the sanctum. The temple resembles the Jagdambi one in plan, design, dimensions
and decorations and consists of a sanctum without ambulatory, vestibule, mahamandapa,
with lateral transepts and entrance porch.
Jagdambi Temple
This temple, originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu as indicated by a Vishnu image
over the sanctum doorway, now enshrines an image of Parvati, hence the name
Jagadambi. This image of Parvati is painted black therefore it is famous as
Jagdambi or Kali. It is one of the three temples which stand on the same platform
terrace the other two being the Mahadeo and the Kandariya one.
Kandarya Mahadeo
Temple
The Kandariya Mahadev temple, the most magnificent and the biggest temple of
the Khajuraho school of architecture stands on the same platform as the two
shrines described above. It is a temple of perfect proportions and rich ornamentation.
Parvati Temple
On the south west of the Vishwanath temple lies the Parvati Temple. It is believed
that originally it was dedicated to Lord Vishnu, but presently it enshrines
an image of Gauri (Parvati), the consort of Shiva on her mount, hence the temple
is called Parvati Temple.
Partapeshwar
A hundred year old temple built by Maharaja of Chhatarpur stands near the Parvati
Temple, facing the main road. Having three different architecture of different
religion, Muslims, Jainism and Buddhism.
Chopra Tank
Two hundred yards to the north west of the Chitragupt Temple lies the Chopra
Tank. It is a small square tank with a flight of steps on all the four sides
leading into the tank. There is a small pavilion supported on pillars in the
center of the tank. The date of the pavilion is not known. It is believed that
there was a temple in the middle of the tank.
The Museum
The Khajuraho Archaeological Museum is located opposite the Shiv sagar lake.
It displays a large collection of status, panels, carvings, piece of walls of
the temples, that could be reduced or excavated from the ruins. It has a nice
collection which is worth a visit.
